Building permits and renovating

Building permit to construct

Under the Ontario Building Code Act, a building permit is required for the construction of a new building, an addition, or alteration of any building or structure with a building area of over 10 square metres (approximately 108 square feet).

Additional information

Who to contact

Where to apply

Building permit to demolish

You need to obtain a building permit to relocate or demolish an existing building or structure. Your demolition application will be reviewed to ensure compliance with safety requirements that may need to be adhered to during or after the demolition of the structure, as well as with applicable law (e.g., Demolition Control By-law and the Ontario Heritage Act) Clearance certificates from utilities confirming services have been severed and capped must be obtained as well.

Demolition Permit Clearances Form completed and authorized by each of the appropriate authorities, must be submitted pursuant to Section 4(3)(b) of Building By-Law 2014-220

A current Plan of Survey or Site Plan (fully dimensioned) indicating:

Dimensions of property and lot size; and

Location of building(s) proposed to be demolished and all other building on the lot

Development charge credits

A municipal redevelopment credit may be available if demolition of an existing structure occurs within 10 years of the issuance of a building permit for a new building. After this period, no credit is possible. The time limit was set at 10 years with the enactment of the City's 2014 development charges by-law (Section 9 Redevelopment of Land Credits). Beginning January 1, 2019, the time limit will be limited to development that occurs within a five year period. Thus someone who demolished a building on or before December 31, 2013 will have no entitlement to a credit as of January 1, 2019.

Who to contact

Where to apply

Building retrofit water and/or sewer service connections

Is the existing water and sewer services adequate for their proposed business or building use? If no, or if you are uncertain, contact City of Ottawa, Right-of-Way Information and Approvals Unit for verification.

Where to apply

Access to building permit records

The City of Ottawa’s Access to Building Permit Records, (also previously known as View and Release), allows general access to building permit records, while ensuring that the access to the information requests respect the intent of the Copyright Act, without the necessity of a formal request under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Who to contact

Where to apply

Building Code Client Service Centre, or by mail, sent to: Building Codes Services, 101 Centrepointe Dr, Nepean, On, K2G 5K7

Heritage grant program for building restoration

A heritage grant of up to $5,000 is available on a matching basis to assist owners of heritage buildings designated under Part IV or Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act with restoration work. An owner can apply for grant funding once every two years. The grant program is based on availability of funding which is approved by City Council as part of the annual budget.

Approximate timeline

Applications are accepted from January 1 until the last business day in March.

Permit requirements

You should first discuss your proposal with staff in the Heritage Section of the Planning and Growth Management Department. Staff will be able to assist you in determining the information required to process your application. Applications should be submitted in hard copy to the Heritage Section, Planning and Growth Management Department. A heritage planner will contact the applicant if further information is required.